A Research Manager position is available in the team of Prof. Joost Schymkowitz and Prof. Frederic Rousseau at the Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, and the VIB–KU Leuven Center for Neuroscience. The Switch Laboratory is a world-leading group studying protein misfolding and aggregation, their roles in neurodegenerative disease and cancer, and their exploitation for therapeutic purposes. The laboratory integrates computational approaches, structural biology, biophysics, cellular biology, and translational research at an international level.
The Entropa project, funded by an FWO SBO grant (€2.6M over 48 months), establishes a revolutionary drug discovery platform based on co-translational weak-spot (cTWS) targeting technology. The platform identifies transient binding pockets that are only exposed while a protein is being synthesised on the ribosome, and designs molecules that engage these pockets to divert the protein into misfolding and degradation - unlocking a new class of degraders for the large portion of the disease-relevant proteome that remains inaccessible to conventional approaches. The project coordinates a multi-institutional consortium spanning computational prediction, structural characterisation of ribosome–nascent chain complexes, high-throughput assay development, virtual screening, hit validation, and structure-activity relationship studies, with an explicit translational and commercial trajectory.
Responsibilities
The Research Manager will play a central role in coordinating both the scientific and operational aspects of the Entropa project:
- Drive the scientific strategy of the project, contributing to experiment design, data interpretation, and key decisions on target selection, assay development, and pipeline progression across all work packages
- Lead and contribute to the scientific publication output of the project, including as co-corresponding author on key papers arising from the Entropa pipeline, and contribute to defining the publication strategy across work packages and consortium partners
- Mentor and guide the PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff executing the Entropa work packages - supervising experimental designs, interpreting results, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing research environment
- Oversee and coordinate the development and transfer of the proprietary IVT-based misfolding screening assay platform to high-throughput format, including assay optimisation, counterscreening, and benchmarking against competing degrader technologies
- Coordinate between multiple consortium partners and collaborators, including KU Leuven, VIB Discovery Sciences, and international academic and industrial partners, fostering alignment on scientific milestones and data packages
- Develop and submit follow-on grant proposals to ensure the continuity of the cTWS research programme beyond the initial SBO period
- Develop contacts with industry partners and investors in support of the platform's translational trajectory
This is a strategic role bridging deep scientific understanding of co-translational protein folding with operational management, cross-institutional coordination, and translational and commercial development.
Profile
The ideal candidate will have:
- A PhD in biomedical sciences, protein science, structural biology, molecular biology, or biochemistry, with at least 8–10 years of research experience (including PhD), and proven expertise in protein folding, aggregation, and/or quality control mechanisms
- Hands-on experience in both wet laboratory methods (protein biochemistry, native PAGE, western blotting, biophysical binding assays, high-content imaging, cell-based degradation assays) and computational or bioinformatics approaches (sequence and structure analysis, proteome-wide analyses)
- Deep understanding of co-translational folding processes. Familiarity with approaches to modelling co-translational folding intermediates is a strong asset
- A strong academic publication record in relevant fields (protein folding, aggregation and homeostasis, structural biology, bioinformatics and/or drug discovery)
- Proven track record in successful funding applications
- Experience working on translational or grant-funded research projects with an industry or commercialisation dimension - for example, through an innovation mandate, technology transfer activity, or industry-funded collaboration
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication to coordinate across multiple research groups, funding agencies, advisory committee members, and industry partners
- Fluency in English (verbally and in writing) is mandatory; Dutch proficiency is an asset
Offer
- An opportunity to work in a world-class research environment at the frontier of protein biology and drug discovery, with cutting-edge computational and experimental platforms
- Direct and central involvement in a high-impact drug discovery effort, spanning fundamental discovery science, translational development, and commercial partnership
- Significant professional development opportunities spanning research management, grant writing, translational science, and biotech commercialisation
- Access to an extensive network of international academic collaborators and industry and investment partners
- Competitive compensation package based on expertise and experience
- Full-time position of indefinite duration
Interested?
Please apply through the KU Leuven online recruitment system. Your application should include:
• A detailed CV with publication and grant history
• A one-page motivation letter describing your interest in research management, translational research, and commercialisation experience
• Names and contact information for three professional references
For more information please contact Mrs. Hannah Wilkinson, mail: [email protected].
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
